QC
FEATURE
PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF WESTON
Residents enjoy a family-friendly movie at one of Weston’s “Moonlight Movies in the Park” events.
RECREATION
Embracing the Outdoors
Cities find safe and successful ways to engage residents outside by Brittni Johnsen Florida League of Cities
PARKS FIND NEW POPULARITY
Unable to travel or visit their favorite pre-pandemic places, city parks became the new go-to destination for residents. They also became an even more popular place for cities to safely host events. The City of Weston’s “Moonlight Movies in the Park” events invited residents to Tequesta Trace Park for a safe, fun event outdoors. Admission to each show was free, but capacity was limited, so residents were admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure all attendees practiced safe physical distancing, residents were assigned spots to sit in and required to wear masks. The City of Port St. Lucie hosted an event at a city park that not only successfully got residents outdoors but also helped gather feedback for their strategic plan. Due to the pandemic, the city decided to host its annual “Citizens Summit” – part of its strategic 48 QUALITY CITIES | SECOND QUARTER 2021
planning process – virtually with three pop-up outdoor events. The “Strategic Plan Exploration Trail” event invited residents to learn about current and future projects from the city’s strategic plan while touring Port St. Lucie’s newest and largest park. Attendees were given a road map, an envelope with stickers and suggestion cards, all of which they used to answer questions or provide feedback to the city. The park’s pathways were lined with signs featuring fun facts about the city and information on the city’s strategic plan and its goals. The event also included fitness demonstrations, a golf putting contest and activities for children and adults. The free event, which required residents to wear masks, saw more than 250 residents participate. Port St. Lucie’s pop-up event invited residents to tour the newest park while learning about the city’s strategic plan. PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE
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utdoor events and activities aren’t a novel idea, especially here in the Sunshine State. But as the pandemic forced Floridians and the rest of the world inside, wideopen spaces in the great outdoors seemed more important – and desirable – than ever before. So, cities found ways to safely get their residents out of the house and into the sun. From leisurely activities and educational workshops to exercise classes and communitywide challenges, here are just some of the ways that cities got residents out and about during the pandemic.
